Launched as an eight-team event back in 1988 by the Australian Cricket Board, the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup has been held twice a year. The ICC U19 cricket world cup has 16 competing teams in the tournament which has so far has been staged nine times. Also participating in the tournament over the years have been other current stars like Graeme Swann, Yuvraj Singh, Ian Bell, and Virat Kohli. This year the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is being held in Dubai and visitors must ensure they fully explore the myriad of options the city has on offer. Being an area that is constantly flooded by sunshine, its best to rent a car in Dubai and enjoy a luxurious cool drive around the city.
Dubai has a range of people coming from hugely disparate socio-economic backgrounds. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its restaurants. At the luxurious end is Michelin star food by British chefs Gary Rhodes and Gordon Ramsay, served in the Grosvenor House Hotel and the Hilton Dubai Creek. The Chinese restaurant Noble House in the Raffles Hotel is another must visit for a luxurious dining experience. To sample food from the other end of the social spectrum visit Al Dhiyafah Road where restaurants cater to the city’s less wealthy residents and serve delicacies on the side walk with food from Lebanon, Iran and the Indian subcontinent. The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest structure and the best way to admire its exteriors is by dining at the Majlis Al Bahar that sits on the beach in front.
Despite being a Muslim city, Dubai sees an abundant flow of alcohol which, according to law, must be restricted to hotels and bars. With 450 hotels and 26 bars, visitors can choose from a wide range. Despite being the holiest day in the Islamic week, many restaurants throw their doors open for ‘champagne brunch’ which sees plenty of alcohol and tables groaning under heaped buffets. The best places to visit at this hour include Spectrum on One in the Fairmont and Le Meridien’s Yalumba. For alfresco dining visit Mina A’ Salam Brunch with outdoor seating. For those who prefer to drink in the evening, choose from the open-air 360 Degrees, Bar 44 in the Grosvenor House or Le Meridien Mina Seyahi’s Barasti.
Dubai is famous for its shopping. The biggest mall that the city has to offer is also one of the largest shopping resorts in the world: the Mall Of Arabia. With ancient Middle Eastern exteriors, this mall houses international fashion brands, a 15-screen cinema and a bowling alley. A quirky shopping destination is the Souk Madinat inside the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel with its own waterway to transfer people from its shops, bars and restaurants to the neighbouring hotels. The Mall of the Emirates even has an indoor ski slope with real snow. The beautiful Khan Murjan souk links the Wafi Mall, with the stunning Raffles Hotel.
For those with a penchant for old world charm the Bastakia Quarter is a must visit, which lies between the Dubai Creek and the Bur Dubai district. Another attraction is the world famous Gold Souk, and also sells diamonds, platinum and silver. With strict government regulations, the gold standard remains high. An even more affordable location is the Gold & Diamond Park where jewellers can recreate designs on request at a fraction of the cost.
Golf enthusiasts have plenty to do in Dubai. Celebrities can be found golfing on the courses designed by Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els. Dubai’s most famous course, the Emirates Golf Club, hosts the annual Dubai Desert Classic. Beach enthusiasts can visit the Jumeira beach strip or the public beach Al Mamzar. The Kite beach in the Jumeira Beach park is another destination to visit and is especially popular among kite surfers while Le Meridien Mina Seyahi offers a more luxurious beach experience. For those seeking even more adventure, try a desert safari!
Author: Divyanshu Sharma is a travel blogger who has been traveling around the world and sharing his experiences with fellow travelers through blogs and articles. He is also a food aficionado and loves to highlight the luxurious aspects associated with traveling.
